Nine Virginia wrestlers competed in the NCAA Championships Thursday (March 21).
2011 NCAA Qualifier - 133 pounds
AT VIRGINIA: 2011-12 • Redshirt season • Went 7-1 while competing unattached in open tournaments • Placed first at 133 pounds in Newberry Open (2/4) • Took second place at Edinboro Open (2/11) • Defeated NCAA qualifier Scott Festejo of Old Dominion, 13-6, at Edinboro Open
2010-11 • Posted 23-16 record during freshman season • Went 16-10 in duals, including 3-2 in ACC action • Earned at-large berth to NCAA Championships, where he went 0-2 • Fell 5-1 to Levi Mele of Northwestern and 5-4 to Tyler Small of Kent State at NCAAs • One of five wrestlers nationally named to NWCA All-Academic True Freshman Team • Named to Academic All-ACC Wrestling Team and ACC Academic Honor Roll • Scored bonus points in 13 of his 23 wins • Earned two wins over 2011 NCAA qualifiers - Small of Kent State and T.J. Mitchell of Liberty • Took runner-up honors at 133 at ACC Championship • Knocked off No. 2 seed Lou Ruland of Maryland in ACC semifinals, avenging a Ruland pin in the regular season • Nabbed wins over NC State's Conor Hovis (tech fall), UNC's Pat Owens and Duke (forfeit) during ACC regular season • In last regular-season match, he nearly pinned No. 12 Kyle Hutter of ODU and held lead for majority of bout before falling on late takedown, 10-8 • In his second college bout, he recorded 14-2 major decision over then-No. 18 Jimmy Kirchner of Rider • Earned team's Freshman Academic Achievement Award • Placed third at Cleveland State Open (12/11)
BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL • State champion at 130 pounds in 2010 • Four-time state placewinner • Posted 167-12 career record • Four-time All-Sentinel Team and All-Conference • Three-time Patriot News Big 14 Team • Holds school records for most wins, pins and technical falls • Won sectional, district and regional titles en route to state crown his senior year • Won sectionals, districts and regionals as sophomore (112 pounds) and junior (119) • Placed second at state in 2008 and seventh in 2009 • As freshman, won sectional and district titles and took sixth at state (103 pounds) • Runner up at 2010 Dapper Dan (130 pounds) and Disney Duals with team MAWA • Team captain his junior and senior seasons • John Travers Scholar Athlete finalist • Coached by Rodney Wright at Boiling Springs • Also played football as sophomore and junior (tailback/inside linebacker/kick returner) • Led team in touchdowns his junior year before suffering a broken ankle in fifth game • Class Historian in 2008 and Class Treasurer in 2010
PERSONAL • Parents are Steve and Kim Spisak • Has three sisters, Anna, Mary-Kate and Emma • Enjoys Xbox, gymnastics and riding his motorcycle
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